THERMAL HEAT

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5280, 17 December 1946, Page 4

THERMAL HEAT

pEOPLE gravitate to Rotorua for its sport, its sunshine, and its health-recruiting facilities, but as many tourists as possible crowd their visits into the summer months. In this respect, it is'in competition with all the other health resorts of the country, exceptihg those catering specially for winter pastirnes. Now, the climate of

this district between May and , September is far more tpleasant than that in most other parts . of the Dominion, although the mid-winter is relatively sev.ere. « Recent developments have evoked a picture of Rotorua as a year-round playground. The projected casino is one of the new sehemes that indicate the ^oiitimistic view that* business men take of the future of the town but even more important is the sanguine attitude of experts toward the possibilities of harnessing the thermal water, not only for the benefit of transients but the population at large. The feasibility of the project has been demonstrated under much more unfavourable conditions in Icelancl. With householders of small, compact areas combining, the reticulation of thermal water could be undertaken at relatively little cost and ap.plied to the central heating of dwellings, cooking, and the raising of fruits and vegetables, now so scarce and expensive, with a minimum ' of cost and labour. The installation of such amenities would enormously enhance •the attractiveness of Rotorua as a place of residence for those in a position to make a choioe and " consequently, property values would not be subject to ordinary economic fluctuations. The Mayor; Mr. P. A. Kusabs, has for years expounded the possibilities of turning thermal water to commepcial and private uses and it looks as if his vision will become reality in the not distant future.